URC rivals ‘target’ red-hot Roos

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Abrasive DHL Stormers No 8 Evan Roos can expect opposing players in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship to keep trying “to get into his head”.

This is according to Stormers stand-in skipper Marvin Orie and SA-born Edinburgh prop Pierre Schoeman, in addressing Roos’ yellow card for off-the-ball foul play in a URC clash between the teams in Cape Town on Saturday.

The 22-year-old Springbok was penalised for using excessive force while pinning down opposite number Nick Haining with his arm in the neck area.

“He had a target on his back. A few years ago I got a red card for a leading arm and his was a yellow. So, I don’t know,” Schoeman said post-match. “But he is a very good player. He had a target on his back and he did well.”

Orie, though, believes that Roos – the 2021-22 URC Player of the Season – must realise that his rivals will continue to get under his skin, as a way of nullifying his gamebreaking ability.

“I spoke to him about that [incident],” said Orie after a 34-18 win for the Stormers on Saturday. “We all know what a special player Evan is – he is unbelievably talented. In terms of what he has done last season and so far this season, he is sort of freakish.

“It is clearly a tactic from the opponents to try and get into his head. I think guys do that to try and get him off his game. It’s funny because when I was younger, I tried to do the same.”

He added: “He will get better with that. He is 22, so he has a bright future. He will learn with maturity and we are lucky to have him in our team and not against us. I’m sure he will sort that out.”

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Photo: Shaun Roy/BackpagePix

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Devin Hermanus